The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-02-17
THE DUELLISTS,
BY PETER DONOVAN.

One evening in the winter of 1889 the
elite of Partisan society scintillatcd at
the bal masque given by the Marquis De-
larobc at his palace in the Rue de Pro-
vcucc. The cream of the proud French
aristocracy, The hereditary oprrcssors of
the people, throngcd the ball room in
their dazzling costumes. And one to
see such Kaleidoscope array for beauty
and chivary, so volatile and gay would
not think that terrible Nemesis in the
form of an outraged populacc was even
then drawing near, and would, ere long.
with one Titanic blow, dccapitate the
hydra-headcd monster that so long
lived on their substance.
When the mad revcl was at its height,
lissome creature, with the step of ga
zelc, attired as Grccian shcphcrdess,
moved gracefully about, and with Cir
cean magnetism, became the cynosurc of
all eyes. A dashing young officer wear
ing the uniform of lieutenant, ap-
preached, and bowling defcrcntially,
said:
'Will the fair pastoral goddess favor
me with dancer
'Monsieur must pardon me if refuse,
as am already fatigued from dancing"
| she answered, in a voice which bespoke
unaffected ingenuiousness.
but, madam" he persisted, II may
at least have the pleasure of escorting
you to seat"
"lf monsieur insists I suppose have
nothing to do but comply" she an
swered with charming naiceite, and &C
ccpted his profered arm.
He led the way to a cushioned alcovc
and, with the air of Bayard, begged per.
mission to lingcr if only for few mo.
ments. An almost impcrceptible move
ment of the head, given to denote as
sent, sufficed to loosen her mask, which
fell to the floor, revealing face of daz.
cling beauty. Her eyes were as dark as
night, and, in the language of the poet,
"might have changed the fate of an en-
pre- Her brow and lips would have
afforded ample scope for the honcyed
phrases of an Ovid. The exquisite SYM
metry of her frame shone to advantage
in her unique costume.
The eyes of the young man feastcd on
the lovely vision for brief period, an
then, removing his mask, he exclaimed
"Since generous fate has revealed you
lovely features, it is only just that
should also reveal mine"
The young girl toyed with th'
mask for moment as if delib-
Grating how to act. Then lifting
her eyes she gazed at the young man il
diffilent sort of way and said in low
musical voice:
'If mistake not, monsieur is of tn,
house of Chandos2'
II cannot claim such distinction. ,
hastily answered her auditor with
slight shade of melancholy in his voice
81 am only a poor soldier of fortune
whose sword is his only legacy"
Then, how dare you talk to adaugh
ter of General the Count d'Arnot2' in
tcrrupted grutf voice, and the youthful
twain turning quickly bcheld tall mai
dressed as Sicilian brigand. He helt
in his hand the mask that he had tori
from his face and his eye shono omin
o,,sly as he gazed or rather scowled q
the young lieutenant.
"Monseur lc Comtc, the young ma
has acted with singular delicacy an
gentleness toward me- and think you
words demand an apology" spiritedl
interposed the object of dispute, arisin
and standing between the two men.
''The Count dc Landon owes no apo
ogy 20 a churl," was the fierce au
naughty rcJolnder.
The young lieutenant stung to mad
ness by his taunt, advanced and delib
erately spat in the fac
of the naughty nobleman. TIL
count sprang backward with the agilit
of an athlete, at the same time drawin
his sword. The young girl grasped til
nobleman by tho sword arm and begge
of Him 10 forbcar. Nothing daunted
the lieutenant stool like Launcelo
with poised blade, awaiting the onset.
Low born wretch, were it not fl
"Save your breath, count, you'll nee
it all in the morning, in the gardens {
the Luxembourg, at eight, any weapon
you choose. Adicu, madam, am vel
sorry to be the cause of this distressin